Inaugural RHYC Hall of Fame Inductions
May 2, 2015
2015 Hall of Fame Inductees
On May 2, 2015, the Royal Hamilton Yacht Club celebrated the inaugural induction of four prominent past and present members into the newly created RHYC Hall of Fame.
A sold-out audience of almost 100 members and guests gathered for a memorable evening honouring excellence, achievement, and the long history of sailing at RHYC.
The Inaugural Class
The Beginning of the Hall of Fame
Commodore Michael Cox opened the formal portion of the evening by recognizing the Hall of Fame Steering Committee and speaking about the importance of honouring greatness within the Club.
Commodore Michael Cox Opening the Evening
Master of Ceremonies Rob Mazza noted that the four inaugural inductees spanned the full history of RHYC and shared a common beginning: each had learned to sail as a youngster on the waters of Burlington Bay, Hamilton Harbour, or Hamilton Bay.
Æmilius Jarvis
Æmilius Jarvis was recognized for his extraordinary contributions to sailing, both in Hamilton and across Canada. His early years on Hamilton Bay began at the age of ten and led to a lifetime of achievement on the water.
Jarvis helped establish the Hamilton Yacht Club in 1888 and later became a major figure in Canada's Cup competition. His influence extended well beyond RHYC, including his service as a three-time Commodore of the Royal Canadian Yacht Club.
Nadia Jarvis and Stacy Jenkins Accepting for Æmilius Jarvis
Norm Robertson
Norm Robertson was honoured as Canada's first Olympic sailor. His sailing career included early dinghy racing, Freeman Cup competition, ownership of notable racing yachts, and his selection to represent Canada on the Olympic stage.
His accomplishments helped establish RHYC's reputation for producing sailors of national and international significance.
John Robertson
John Robertson was inducted for a lifetime of sailing excellence. He represented Canada at the 1948 London Olympics and the 1952 Helsinki Olympics, and later became a leading figure in International 14 sailing.
John accepted both his own induction and that of his father, Norm Robertson, acknowledging the importance of family, crew, and lifelong support in any successful sailing career.
John Robertson Accepting His Own and His Father's Induction
Don Green
Don Green was recognized for one of the most accomplished sailing careers in RHYC history. His achievements included Canada's Cup competition, Admirals' Cup racing, the 1979 Fastnet Race, and an America's Cup campaign with True North.
His 1978 Canada's Cup victory aboard Evergreen remains one of the defining achievements in the Club's competitive history.
Don Green and Evergreen Crew Members
A Lasting Legacy
At the end of the evening, Rob Mazza thanked all those in attendance and marked the beginning of a continuing program to honour those who have brought significant recognition and prestige to the Royal Hamilton Yacht Club.
Inductors and Inductees Group Photograph
The inaugural Hall of Fame class established the standard for all future inductees and created a lasting tribute to excellence, leadership, and achievement within RHYC.
Source: RHYC Hall of Fame, May 2, 2015.
Photos courtesy of Joan and Chris McCormack.
Prepared for the RHYC Heritage Archive.
2018 RHYC Hall of Fame Inductions
Saturday, November 24, 2018
Inductors and inductees gather for a group portrait.
On Saturday, November 24, 2018, the Royal Hamilton Yacht Club welcomed members, family, and guests to a sold-out Hall of Fame Dinner in the Champions Room. Five remarkable RHYC members were inducted into the RHYC Hall of Fame in recognition of their contributions to the Club and to the sport of sailing.
2018 Hall of Fame Inductees
This was the second Hall of Fame induction ceremony held by RHYC, following the inaugural inductions three years earlier of Æmilius Jarvis, Norm Robertson, John Robertson, and Commodore Don Green.
A Celebration of RHYC Heritage
The evening was hosted by Heritage Committee Chair Rob Mazza and opened with welcoming remarks from Commodore Jan Graves-Passmore. Family members, friends, and fellow sailors gathered to celebrate the accomplishments of the inductees and the history of the Club.
MC Rob Mazza, Chair of the Heritage Committee, introduced the presenters for each inductee.
Many of the inductees were represented by multiple generations of their families, highlighting one of RHYC's greatest strengths: the tradition of multi-generational membership and involvement in sailing.
Heritage Committee Chair Rob Mazza noted that RHYC's history is built upon families whose involvement has spanned decades, often beginning in Junior Sailing and continuing through successive generations.
The Hall of Fame Display
The permanent RHYC Hall of Fame display in the Evergreen Lounge.
Members attending the dinner also had an opportunity to view the permanent Hall of Fame display located in the Evergreen Lounge. The display recognized the Club's nine Hall of Fame members at that time and was designed with room for future inductees.
Preserving a Legacy
The 2018 inductees collectively represented more than a century of RHYC history. Their accomplishments spanned four clubhouses, numerous generations of sailors, and countless volunteer contributions to the Club.
A portion of the capacity crowd at the 2018 Hall of Fame Dinner and Inductions.
The evening also recognized the volunteers, family members, and supporters who helped preserve and celebrate RHYC's history.
Induction Gallery
Past Commodores Don Green and Rolf Essig during the reception prior to dinner.
Presenter Tom Dunmore with Harry Greening's granddaughter Vicki Innes-Wondergem, great granddaughter Kelly Arnott, and Commodore Jan Graves-Passmore.
Vicki Innes-Wondergem and Kelly Arnott with Harry Greening's plaque and the Lipton Trophy.
Stan Chambers, presenter for Dick Scott, with Dick's son Ryan and Commodore Jan Graves-Passmore.
Commodore Don Green inducted Bill Cheek. Bill's plaque was presented to his daughter Gerri Staples by Commodore Jan Graves-Passmore.
John Finch inducted Larry Scott, with help from Ted Hains.
Dot Blandford inducted Marty Essig, with the plaque presented to Rolf and Betty Essig by Commodore Jan Graves-Passmore.
Source: RHYC Heritage Committee Hall of Fame Dinner and Inductions, November 24, 2018.
Prepared for the RHYC Heritage Archive.
2022 RHYC Hall of Fame Inductions
November 26, 2022
Sailing School participants from the 1960s and 1970s.
On Saturday, November 26, 2022, the Royal Hamilton Yacht Club Heritage Committee inducted seven accomplished individuals into the RHYC Hall of Fame in recognition of their extraordinary contributions to the Club and the sport of sailing.
2022 Hall of Fame Inductees
Olympic Achievement
With the induction of Larry Woods, Will Jones, and Evan DePaul, RHYC increased its number of Olympic Hall of Famers to seven. Very few yacht clubs in Canada can claim such a distinguished Olympic legacy.
The accomplishments of these sailors place RHYC among the most accomplished sailing clubs in Canada and reinforce the Club's long tradition of excellence on the international stage.
Building the Foundation
Hugh Brown, Rolf Essig, and Kathryn Crowder were recognized for their leadership in establishing and rebuilding RHYC's Sail Training and Junior Sailing programs.
Through their vision and dedication, and with the support of countless volunteers, instructors, and Vice Commodores of Sail Training, RHYC developed one of the most respected junior sailing programs in the country.
The program was recognized three times as Ontario's top Junior Sailing Program and twice as Canada's best Junior Sailing Program.
RHYC also hosted the only World Championship of an Olympic sailing class ever conducted by the Club.
RHYC Graduate School Participants from the 1980s.
A Celebration of Sail Training
The Hall of Fame event served not only as an induction ceremony but also as a reunion for generations of RHYC sailors, instructors, volunteers, and graduates of the Club's Sail Training Program.
Participants spanning more than six decades of sailing instruction gathered to celebrate the people and programs that helped shape RHYC's reputation across Ontario, Canada, and beyond.
Tony Ronza and the crew of Coug.
Canada's Cup Legacy
Tony Ronza Jr.'s induction recognized his role as a two-time winner of the prestigious Canada's Cup.
Building on the success of fellow RHYC Hall of Fame member Don Green, Tony and the crews of Coug and Coug II helped establish RHYC as the only Canadian yacht club to win the Canada's Cup on multiple occasions.
Preserving RHYC History
The RHYC Heritage Committee continues to collect, preserve, and share the stories, photographs, and accomplishments that have shaped the Club since its founding.
The Hall of Fame serves as a lasting tribute to those whose dedication, leadership, and achievements have advanced RHYC's reputation locally, nationally, and internationally.
Prepared by the RHYC Heritage Committee.
Historical photographs courtesy of the RHYC Heritage Collection.